Should I Still Have Swelling One Year After Tummy Tuck Surgery?

 Thank you for the question.

As always, it is best to be seen in person ( by your plastic surgeon) for precise diagnosis and treatment.
Abdominal wall "swelling" after tummy tuck may be related to:
1. Swelling in the soft tissues.  This may take several months to resolve and may worsen with increased activity  or at the end of the day.   Patience  is required to allow for resolution of the swelling. The swelling occurs because of the interruption of venous and lymphatic channels that occurs during the tummy tuck operation.
2. Fluid accumulation in the space between the skin and the abdominal wall muscle.  this may consist of blood ( hematoma)  or serum (seroma).  This fluid accumulation can generally be diagnosed by physical examination ( occasionally ultrasound  may be helpful).  Treatment consists of aspiration;  several episodes of aspiration may be necessary. 
3. Separation of the abdominal wall muscle repair may lead to a swelling/bulge appearance. This may be diagnosed on physical examination  with your surgeon examining you in different bodily positions. One of the steps of a tummy tuck procedure involves reapproximation (plication)  of the rectus muscles.  These muscles have spread apart during pregnancy and/or weight gain. Bringing them together again in the midline helps to “tighten” the abdominal wall as well as to narrow the waistline.
4. Residual adipose tissue may be confused for swelling. Again this is most easily diagnosed by physical examination. Additional liposuction surgery maybe necessary to improve the results of surgery.
Generally, it takes many months for swelling to resolve after tummy tuck surgery and it may take up to one year  (or greater)  a complete skin redraping  to occur.
I hope this helps.

Hello lifetimer, thank you for your question regarding swelling one year post-tummy tuck surgery. It's understandable to feel concerned about persistent swelling and discomfort this long after surgery.

Swelling after a tummy tuck can last for several months, but typically, it should significantly reduce within the first six months. However, every individual heals differently, and some residual swelling can persist for up to a year or even longer, especially if there were multiple procedures done simultaneously, such as liposuction, body lift, and thigh lift.

The swelling you are experiencing, which fluctuates throughout the day, could be due to several factors, including fluid retention, scar tissue formation, or even your body's response to the extensive surgery. It's also possible that your daily activities and diet exacerbate the swelling.

Persistent pain and significant swelling this far out from surgery should not be dismissed. It might be helpful to get a second opinion from another board-certified plastic surgeon to rule out any complications such as seroma (fluid accumulation), lymphedema, or other issues that might be contributing to your symptoms.

In the meantime, maintaining a healthy diet low in sodium, staying hydrated, and wearing compression garments as recommended by your surgeon can help manage swelling. Gentle massages, if approved by your doctor, might also aid in reducing fluid build-up and softening any scar tissue.

It's great to hear that you are committed to your health and fitness routine. Keep monitoring your symptoms, and please don't hesitate to seek further medical advice if the swelling and discomfort persist.

I hope this information helps you understand what might be causing your prolonged swelling and guides you towards the next steps for your recovery.

Sincerely,

J. Timothy Katzen, MD, FASMBS, FICS

It’s unusual for pain and swelling to persist for more than twelve
months following abdominoplasty surgery. When this situation arises, patients
should be evaluated to rule out other conditions such as chronic seromas and
abdominal wall hernias.Unfortunately,
it’s virtually impossible to make a specific recommendation without pre-and
post –operative pictures and a physical examination. Under these circumstances,
it might be reasonable to obtain a second opinion from a board certified
plastic surgeon.This surgeon should be
able to evaluate your situation and formulate an appropriate treatment plan.